City concerned by pool ad

July 13, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - An advertisement posted on Facebook announcing an adult party at the Belleview Pool has been denounced by city officials who said it is not a legitimate event and will not be permitted.

The social media ad shows a scantily clad woman and states "False Truth Clothing presents the first annual summer splash adult pool party at Belleview Pool in Steubenville from 9 p.m. until ? on July 27."

The ad also promotes a cash bar, giveaways and contests.

City Councilman at large Kenny Davis said he did not know how the advertisement was placed on Facebook.

Davis said Friday afternoon no one in the city's recreation department or anyone involved with the two nonprofit organizations operating the pool this summer were aware of the alleged pool party.

A telephone call to the telephone number listed on the ad was answered by an answering machine.

"I can tell you without hesitation this event will not be happening at the Steubenville Belleview Pool. This is a Facebook thing. I was notified about the Facebook ad at 8 a.m. Friday. I have been trying to reach the individual listed on the ad all day to find out if he is even involved in this alleged event," said Davis.

"Is this going to happen? Absolutely not. I can promise you that. Alcohol is not permitted in our city parks and we don't allow an activity like this at our pool," Davis stated.

"No one associated with the city or the Belleview Pool was ever aware of this until the Facebook flier was brought to our attention. None of us had any knowledge of this event," said Davis, who met Friday afternoon with Mayor and Acting City Manager Domenick Mucci, Parks and Recreation Board Chairwoman Sandi Rue and Todd Kelley of the Community for Youth Development organization.

"No one went through the proper reservation procedures for a pool event," said Mucci. "Any after hours pool event must have our lifeguards on duty. That has not been arranged. No fees were paid. Alcohol is not permitted in any of our park facilities. If someone wanted to sell alcohol at the pool they would have to file for a permit through the Ohio Department of Liquor Control and that would have to be approved by the city council and that has not happened," stated Mucci.

The Belleview Pool is reserved by a city resident from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 27 for the Steubenville Striders

The resident could not be reached for a comment and a message was left on the resident's answering machine.

"I am upset someone or some group put this flier on Facebook. We tried to do something positive by opening the pool this summer and now someone wants to put a negative twist on it. But we have opened the pool for the children of the community and will not let someone on Facebook detract from what we have accomplished," declared Davis.